Labas Visiems!!

First, it was absolutely wonderful to be able to talk to you, my family if you were not included in the phone conversation, on Christmas. It was weird because I felt kinda like I was home, but at the same time a little out of place. I guess that's just the feeling of knowing that I need to be here in Lithuania, not home in Idaho.

Sounds like Christmas was a blast for all of you. It's crazy how time continues to fly by. I remember being home for Christmas like it was only a month or so ago, but that is clearly not the case. It's also crazy how being out of the world feels. I remember seeing trailers for movies that came out when I was in the MTC that are now on DVD. Crazy. Time does not exist the same for everyone.

Mom, for your answers: I'm pretty sure I was sitting next to Elder Whicker at the white elephant deal. I got some chapstick and a pen that says lietuva on it. In the nativity I was a scribe for King Herod. I'm wearing the suit I got from Elder Cooke in those pictures, if you were wondering.

Alistair, most of that music I have heard of, but who is Deas Vail? I don't think I've ever heard of them. That's sweet about your tests. Hopefully it means big things in your future.

It was wonderful to feel the Christmas spirit. We weren't able to teach that much, but people just seemed to be happier and kinder. We were able to serve a fair bit. Pushing cars out, delivering food to some members, and on Christmas giving cookies to the bus drivers, who were working. It was so good to see everyone's appreciation for our small work and the joy that it brought them.

We had a branch Christmas party on Wednesday. We played games, ate a lot of food, and then watched an old Christmas devotional translated into Lithuanian. It was a blast.

We randomly found an English student from the other elders' class and taught her a lesson. It was just short, a small thought about Christ. She fed us and then told us that we made her Christmas, which was great to hear that our small efforts meant that much to someone else.

On Christmas besides delivering cookies, we had dinner with a member, from China, Lucy. So I ate Chinese food in Lithuania, for Christmas dinner, which was a bit odd, but delicious, so I was ok with it.

Sunday was a little crazy. We had taken out the snow blower to 'shovel' the sidewalk and the parking lot and then needed to lock it back in the shed, which looks like a small medieval tower. To lock the door one person needs to kick it and the other one tries to turn the key. It is very difficult. We tried for about an hour. We did get the sacrament though, which was nice. Since we were not having success we went back inside, but then we were told to watch the shed, to make sure no one stole anything. So we spent another half hour watching over the shed, I felt a little like I was waiting for my part in a heist while watching it. Then we went back out, moved the snow blower to a different shed and locked the shed with the help of President Blindaruk. It was quite the adventure.

That's about it for this week. Not a lot happened. Transfers are coming up on Wednesday, again I can't believe that it is time for transfers. I feel like Elder Sanford and I just got together. Crazy. I love all of you and appreciate your prayers. I pray for you as well. Hope you enjoy this next week off of school.

Linksmų Švenčių (Happy holidays),

Vyrensysis Kanoris Hiltonas

Sveiki Visiems!

First, yes mom, i did get my package at our zone conference last week. It arrived safely, thanks.

One thing I have noticed, is people helping each other. Pushing cars out of the snow, picking people up when the slip, helping old women off of buses. We've also been able to help people, which is nice. Today while shopping we actually helped a lady buy some carbonated water, the label was in English.

No, we didn't have any Christmas singing program, but we did sing a Christmas hymn. The selection is a little limited, only two in Lithuanian, luckily we sing in Russian as well, so there are more options.

I found out a coupel other Christmas traditions. People do often go to midnight mass, but we are not allowed. Also something they do, which is also a Polish birthday tradition I found out, is take four bowls and turn them upside down. Under each of the bowls is an object. Each family member picks a bowl, one at a time, so all four bowls have something under them at all times, and the object determines what the next year will be like for that person. A candle is also burning the whole time. The traditional four objects are bread, meaning the year will be poor; money, meaning the year will be rich; a ring, meaning there will be love or marriage; and a chain of holly, meaning that you'll just goof off all year.

Yes, I do know the man who translated the Book of Mormon into Lithuanian. He actually visited our branch yesterday. President Motijunas, the district president of Lithuania. He lives in Kaunas and I think is actually Russian by descent. Lithuania is still under a Russian Patriarch, who only comes once every few years and can only give blessings in Russian or English, which stops some of the members from getting them, not because they wouldn't understand, but because they want one in Lithuanian.

This week, not a ton happened because we had our conference in Vilnius for two days, which took those two days out of proselyting time, but was great. We did a nativity and a white elephant, so it was almost like being home.

Last week, we harvested into a girl who is a Hare Krishna/Catholic. Hare Krishna is a religion from India, I think. THey have a temple in the Salt Lake area and host some Color Festival thing every spring. Anyway, they are quite numerous here and are very nice people. She let us in and had met with missionaries before and had a Book of Mormon, and had been to church, knew President Blindaruk, so we were excited. She was a little odd, but very nice and open to listening. She gave us some tea, checking if it was a kind we could drink, which was very kind. We were also listening to some Indian music the whole time, which was a bit weird. Anyway, we later found out that we couldn't meet with her again, due to President Blindaruk's instruction. There was a reason missionaries stopped meeting with her. Hopefully we were able to bring her a little closer to Christ in our visit.

Met with a less active, Romas, who we have been trying to meet with for about three months. He works outside Klaipeda and that's why he's hard to get a hold of. That is also the reason he hasn't come to church. He was very nice and open and again knows that he should come, but needs to work, so he doesn't.

On Saturday we helped President Blindaruk move. Yes again. He had been kicked out of the last apartment due to a misunderstanding, so needed to move. Was nice to be able to help him out.

We met with Mykolas last night and decided after some of the things we learned at zone conference to just start teaching lessons like we would to investigators. Since it is Christmas time, we read from Luke 2 with him. I think it really touched him, and he thanked us quite profusely as we left. It was awesome to see that change in him as we talked about the importance of the Savior especially at this time of year.

Another little thing based on zone conference, a talk by president Monson ('Decisions Determine Destiny'), and a quote from Batman Begins, Ït's not who I am, but what I do, that defines me." First, our decisions reflect our desires. Our truest desires, that is. If it's not a true desire then we'll just kinda wish it to happen. Like me wanting to be a rock star. It was a 'desire', but because I never really acted according to it, it obviously wasn't rooted in my soul, therefore not being a true desire. So, our desires become decisions. Decisions lead to habits leading to a person's nature or being. Decisions, ultimately being to choose Christ or the devil, as stated in 2 Nephi 2: 27, I believe, then determine our destiny. All of us are children of God, which shows our potential, but unless we act accordingly then, our destiny will not match our potential. Our identity becomes what we choose. As the great poem Ínvictus" says 'I am the master of my fate, I am the captian of my soul.''

I look forward to talking to you on Christmas. Thanks!

Su Šventomis Kalėdomis,

Vyrensysis Kanoris Hiltonas

PIctures!

Here's some pics.

The first one is me dressed for winter.

The second is me and Elder Sanford in an Elevator that was way old school.

Third is me and Elder Dellinger.

Fourth, me and Elder Gearhart.

Fifth, me and Elder Cooke.

They were all in the MTC together, so are now all home. Elder Gearhart served in Vilnius when I was there and Elder Dellinger was my comp and so was Elder Cooke, as you know.

Labas Visiems!!

This week was a little slow, but showed signs of next week being better. First to answer questions.

Yesterday, Sunday, we went to Church, then took the sacrament to an old woman, ate dinner, and called potential investigators trying to set up appointments for this week.

My favorite person to meet with is probably Ainis, because he's just a bit younger than us and reminds me of myself, and he actually keeps his commitments, most of the time.

The funniest person in the branch is probably Pres. Blindaruk. He's about 24, served a mission in Wisconsin, and speaks very good ENglish. He's way cool.

Christmas traditions. Christmas is the 25th, they might have some holiday on the 6th, they have so many holidays, I don't ever really know what or when they are. One tradition that I have heard of is for Christmas Eve. They have a huge twelve course meal, without meat or dairy, originally to represent the 12 months or something about nature, but when Lithuania was Catholicized, it was changed to represent the 12 Apostles. I think most other traditions are fairly similar to ours. But for us as missionaries, we have to be in our apartments way early on Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year's Eve- due to the partying and drinking that occurs.

On Christmas, you can call me at 10 AM your time (7 PM for me). The number, with area code and everything, is 011-370-606-78579. Should be sweet!

Aight, now for the news of the week. So, we started the week off with a bang. Elder Sanford and I were going to go harvest. Up ahead in the distance we saw a shimmering light, it wasn't the HOtel California, but it was a giant dome, that we thought would house many prepared people. So we headed towards it. The front door was open, so we walked in and got in the elevator and headed to the top, 19 floors up. We then looked out over the city, which looked way sweet. We began to harvest the building. Turns out it was new and people hadn't really moved in yet, so we made our way down to the third floor, where some people lived. A woman answered and then asked how we got in to that floor, we said it was open and then the elevator. We left and went to the 2nd floor. Got off the elevator and looked for any doors of people. The elevator doors shut behind us. There was nothing, except a door to a balcony that was locked. We then tried to open the elevator, but to no avail. The button was broken or something. We were stuck in a tiny little space with no way out. Luckily we had our cell phone, so we gave the other elders a ring and directed them to our location, which took a while since we just kinda wandered trying to get to the giant building we saw. After about an hour they arrived. They door was locked. Miraculously a couple showed up and asked why they were there, they said they had friends on the 2nd floor, and eventually they got in and came to our rescue. The elevator doors opened and we got in. This kind man then told us that the only way out is via the third floor, so we then went to the third floor, but to avoid having a similar experience, Elder Manning and Elder Nelson left to test the exit, while Elder Sanford and I held the elevator. Everything was great, so we left and escaped from this Dome of Doom.

We met with Ainis this week, mostly answering questions that he had. It was a great meeting and shows that he thinks about spiritual things often. Hopefully he stays strong until his birthday or his mother allows him to be baptized.

We also met with Viioleta with the other Elders. She was still not really understanding that their is only one church that is Christ's church, so we read a little from 1 Nephi 14 with her. Was quite direct and perhaps a bit brutal, but we had tried everything else, so hopefully that helped her realize the truth. She came to Church on Sunday and the members were quite friendly and welcoming, which was sweet, so maybe she'll finally get it.

We were able to help push a couple cars out of the snow, since it has snowed a large amount. which was awesome. usually when we offer to help people say no, but it's great to actually be able to help people.

On Saturday we called every phone number in our Area Book, trying to set up an appointment. We didn't get any set up for that day, but did for this coming week, which should be excellent. I felt like a telemarketer though, but realized that if necessary, I could do that for a short bit. Talked to one kid in English for a long time. He mostly wanted to practice his English, but was also interested in just talking to us some about God, he is a very strong Catholic and said he wouldn't change his faith, but was open to talking some time. It's great when people view us as real people instead of some type of machine that lived a perfect life and doesn't have any interests besides Church.

Well, that's about it. The snow is way beautiful and it has stayed at a much more tolerable temperature, still cold, but definitely livable. Lithuania is the best. I love every bit I'm here and tyr not to think about leaving, which is hard since time just seems to be zipping by. Good luck to all of you in your endeavors this week. Hope the holidays treat you well.

Su Šventomis Kalėdomis (Merry Christmas, or more directly With a Holy Christmas)

Love,

Vyresnysis Kanoris Hiltonas

Sveiki Visiems!

First, a quick question- we heard from the new elder that there are trailers for Pirates of the Carribean 4. Does it look any good?

Now to answer your inquiries. Everything is holding up great. I do rotate my shoes and keep them polished. Pretty sure I won't buy any boots, but I am going to look for some Lithuanian pointy dress shoes for Christmas. Thanks for the 180's again, they are fantastic and definitely keep my ears nice and warm. It hasn't been too bad cold wise, except for my hands, which are just cold all the time, but they warm up pretty quickly so, it's not a big deal.

That's crazy that Whitney is already home, I swear she just left, but I can't believe I've been out for 8 months either- crazy.

Hopefully Weston can just get right back out, sports in the MTC definitely mess people up. That's awesome that Ray is getting his call and Dusty is putting his papers in.

Alright, some basics for Alistair, I guess. Well, schedule wise, I think I've already shared but can do it again.

6.30- wake up, exercise (30 min), prepare for the day

7.30- eat breakfast

8- personal study (scriptures, missionary library, Preach my Gospel)

9- companion study

10- Language study (for 30-60 min) or Start working

9- Return Home, daily planning (30 min)

10.30 - Lights out

You also have two hours for a break to be used sometime in between 10 and 9. Your mission president can change your schedule as well. Right now we are actually supposed to be home at 8 or 8.30 if we have a lesson scheduled and we have half of our language study at night, since it is dark at about 4.

Prep wise- I would say that reading through Preach My Gospel and doing role plays as missionaries and investigators was one of the best things that helped me. Daily scripture reading habits are also fantastic. Knowing scriptures, not necessarily having the verse memorized, but the reference and knowing what verses say.

What do we do? Well, when it is nice outside we generally contact, talk to people on the street, in parks, etc. At night we would usually harvest, going to domes (the soviet apartment buildings) and knocking on doors. In the winter we harvest basically all day. We try to set up meetings with investigators and less actives for later in the evening, or whenever they can meet. If you can think of more specific questions, I might be able to better answer them.

This week we taught quite a bit. We met with Reda again, talking about authority, she admitted that Joseph Smith must have been a prophet to write the Book of Mormon, but still doesn't really want to believe in authority and be baptized. She knows that she needs to, but for whatever reason, it just hasn't clicked yet.

Met with Violeta, who is in the other elder's area. Also talked to her about authority, because she thinks all churches can have authority and will not be baptized because she already was and promised to not change her faith. She also likes praying to Mary and all the saints, so when we told her she couldn't do that, she didn't really understand and it provided another reason for her to not change. A little frustrating meeting with people who seem so close, but just miss that last, rather large, step.

Also met with a few less actives- Alfredas, Mykolas, and Oleg. Alfredas believes some interesting things and isn't willling to commit fully to the gospel, so is missing out on some of the blessings. Mykolas still works on Sunday and knows that he needs to come to church, but again, something just hasn't fully clicked, so he doesn't come and says he will again when he's retired and doesn't need to work. Oleg, comes to sacrament meeting almost every week, but then leaves shortly after. He's way nice and hospitable to us. He also said that to help strengthen the branch, he would do whatever we asked him, which is sweet. Now we just need to think of something for him to help us with.

Elder Sanford and I taught the youth Sunday school class, by having them teach us as if we were investigators. It was quite entertaining and hopefully helpful for them.

Well, winter is definitely here. It's been snowing like non stop for the past three or so days. For anyone who thought that no one wore fur coats anymore, they just need to take a little tour of Eastern Europe. I have never seen so much fur in my entire life. Everyone just looks like they're wearing a bear or a bunch of racoons. They also have huge furry Russian hats, the men wear more boxy ones and the women have some like roundy kinda procupineish looking things. Way different style than in the States, but interesting.

I think that's about it this week. The snow just looks so beautiful, Christmas just makes everything bright and happy. As always, I just can't express how much I love Lithuania and the people. I pray for you and appreciate your prayers. Hearing from you is also always a nice little treat. Well, all the best to you, with your various tests, projects, thesies (not really sure how to spell that in plural) and whatever other endeavors you may be striving to accomplish. I love all of you.

Su Šventomis Kalėdomis (Merry Christmas),

Vyresnysis Kanoris Hiltonas